Indonesia's new leader promises to fight graft

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Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is sworn as Indonesia's new President.Photo: Reuters

Indonesia's new President has promised to lead an
anti-corruption campaign as part of a drive to rebuild the
country's beleaguered economy and attack poverty.

In a wide-ranging speech to the nation just hours after he was
sworn in as the sixth president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono addressed
the nation from the presidential palace, promising to lead a
government very different from that of his predecessor, Megawati
Soekarnoputri.

He nominated the country's notorious corruption as one area he
would pursue as part of a package of economic reforms.

"The Government will actively launch anti-corruption programs,
which I will personally lead," Dr Yudhoyono said. He also urged the
country to show patience.

He touched on many of the themes he used in his election
campaign but added little detail about how he might undertake the
changes he has promised since he launched his remarkable campaign
early this year.

"In the next few months, we will address domestic issues such as
stimulating economic growth, creating jobs, reducing poverty and
the Government will always practise an open economic policy," he
said.

With 16 per cent of Indonesia's 220 million people below the
poverty line and more than 10 million unemployed, Dr Yudhoyono said
Indonesia had to open up its economy, "integrate with regional and
international economies and... increase productivity and
competitiveness".

He said economic growth was far below 7 per cent and was not
enough to create jobs. He promised his Government would tackle the
serious problem of lack of investment and improve infrastructure
while somehow giving special priority to the chronically
underfunded education and health systems.

"The Government will increase investment in order to improve
infrastructure. However, I remind you it will not be addressed
within 100 days. It's not as easy as turning your hand."

The Government will actively launch anti-corruption programs.
- President Yudhoyono

Dr Yudhoyono also thanked foreign leaders and special envoys,
including Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who joined MPs
yesterday to watch the President and Vice-President Yusuf Kalla
take their oaths of office.

"Indonesia will continue to grow to become a democratic, modern
pluralistic and tolerant nation and I especially extend my
appreciation and respect for the attendance of our foreign guests
at the inauguration ceremony," he said.

Dr Yudhoyono had originally intended to address the nation from
the parliament but changed his mind at the last minute and spoke
from the palace where he will live.

Several observers said Dr Yudhoyono chose not to speak at the
parliament because Mrs Megawati, did not attend the ceremony. Since
her defeat on September 20, she has failed to acknowledge Dr
Yudhoyono by name or to congratulate him.

Dr Yudhoyono began his speech with a further attempt at a
reconciliation with the former president in whose cabinet he served
for more than three years.